Church-related Predicament

[JD']

Hey, this is JD and Im in need of some advice. Well, my family, including almost all my relatives are religious; we go to church every week unless we absolutely cannot make it. But these last few years, Ive been constantly asking myself "why this", and "how come that" instead of paying attention in church, until in last 6 months or so, I decided that I no longer consider myself a Christian. However, I havent told my mom, and I still have to attend church, which is a hassle, to say the least. I have 2 options, tell my mom I dont want to be Christian anymore, but even then she may still make me go to church, or wait almost 3 years till college, but I will still have to go to church when I come back. So if any of you have been in this situtation, or have any advice for me, go crazy. Thank you

[Lord Toaster]

Just tell her. Otherwise you'll have a weight hanging over you until you do. It's hard telling parents things that they should hear, but don't want to I know, Church is pointless., I have to go to it every time I visit my grandparents

[Keeper]

you'll have to be a it more spacifice about your whats and whys. it is perfectly natural to question scripture and peoples interpretations of them, so dont worry on that score

[becomingagodo]

you'll have to be a it more spacifice about your whats and whys. it is perfectly natural to question scripture and peoples interpretations of them, so dont worry on that score[/b] Do you go to church Keeper.

[Keeper]

deffine church if by church you mean a building filled with people in praise of God, then no. I havn't been for a long time, though not for the reasons you think in the Bible, the Church is the people, not the building, and I have promised to be the Church everyday

[Unicorn]

I have 2 options, tell my mom I dont want to be Christian anymore, but even then she may still make me go to church, or wait almost 3 years till college, but I will still have to go to church when I come back. So if any of you have been in this situation, or have any advice for me, go crazy. Thank you[/b] You're the only one who can anticipate your mom's reaction. If you think she would understand your decision, then do tell her right away. However, If she's not open-minded enough to tolerate your position, don't knock her out with your words, make it a step-by-step thing, hopefully she'll understand. Either way, college is only 3 years away, you'll be a different person by then, you'll have more confidence to back-up the whys and whats. Good luck man.

[Indecent Exposure]

I have had expeirence with this siuation I disagree with my religion so many levels, the intellectual basis being my questioning of tis validity. However, I also have mroal objections when realting to my Ismiali religion I dealt with this by telling my dad how I tohught and ahving a well thought out debate with him. In the end we came to a compromise I wouldn not attedn every week, but every couple of months, I would attend, to show respect for my aprents and to keep my grand=parents content, i dont find this to be much of a problem and can sit through a couple of hours every motnh or so =) Imran

[Neruo]

First off all: Welcome to the forum JD. Secondly: You are in a pretty tough position, that quite alot of people face. It is hard to think differently if you are always surrounded by people that all think the same, especially your loved ones. But you did. I think that by itself is an achievement. But then it starts getting tricky: will your friends and family accept that you do not think exactly like they do (and think you should)? My dad was in the same position you once was he told me... but he went off to the military at 17.. I wouldn't advise that at all at the moment.. : ) Anyhow, You can wait 3 years till college, but from what I hear from it, your parents are pretty die-hard Christians. So staying another 3 years will make it pretty hard on you. Then again, they might Totally freak out if you say you are not a Christian... I don't know, your parents, or one of them, might not be that fanatical about Christianity that they can accept if their son chooses not to be part of it. After all, it is your own free will... You might want to probe them a bit, like during dinner, hint at how for instance you don't see the use of going to Church every day, not like that is written in the bible, is it? Anyhow... A lot of luck to you! But in a few years, you might be happy you are no longer 'trapped', but that you really have the will to choose and think.

[JD']

Hey, thanks for all the input, and I forgot to write, but I have tried hinting at the fact that I dont believe in church, i.e., always complaining and asking why, but my mom always gets offended and Im pretty sure she just thinks I dont like church, not that I dont believe in it. But, I guess I will have to overcome my shyness and eventually come clean, although it will be incredibly awkward. Well, again, thanks for the input, and if I try it soon, which Im hoping I will, Ill post back what happens